Uber releases Report on its Handling of Passenger Data

Ride service Uber has faced a lot of controversies in the recent months. Now, Uber is all set to improve its image and on Friday it released a report on its handling of passenger data. Along with this, Uber assured that it would go through the report's recommendations for improvement.

Lawyers at Hogan Lovells said the company has all the needed guidelines for internal access control, data security and data retention. In the report, suggestions have been given as to how Uber can improve its privacy and data security.

As per the recommendations, Uber should provide training to its employees, making policies that are customer-friendly and also, tightening access controls. Management of the company has put the report findings in a blog post and also stated that it has started implementing recommendations.

In November, the San Francisco-based company commissioned the report. At the same time, a company executive shared an idea of having researchers to assess and disclose activities of media critics. It is also said that the company's executives have used an internal tool called 'God View' to know about the customer rides.

All these activities generated public criticism, and one among them was Senator Al Franken of Minnesota, who even sent a letter to Uber and rival service Lyft. In the letter, he asked them to provide info about the companies' privacy procedures.

Both the companies responded, but more details have been asked from Uber. Hogan Lovells lawyer Harriet Pearson said about Uber, "Dedicated significantly more resources to its privacy program than other companies we've observed of similar age, sector and size".

According to the report, employees have been cleared what is desired from them. They also had conversation with the management with regard to the importance of privacy. The company's internal audit unit is also planning to assess regular audits.